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Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has said that Lionel Messi is set to play some part in the Ecuador friendly on Sunday (June 9) in Chicago. It's their first of two friendlies before their Copa America title defence later this month.
Messi, 36, has had an injury-plagued start to his first full season with MLS side Inter Miami. The Argentinian has 14 goals and 11 assists in 15 games across competitions but has missed five games due to injuries. That includes four in the league, where the Herons are atop the Easter Conference after 18 games.
However, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner seemingly has no injury concerns and is set to play some part for the Albiceleste against Ecuador. Scaloni said (as per Albiceleste Talk):
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"I imagine that Leo Messi will play tomorrow, I don't know if for 45 or 60 minutes but people will be able to see him. We must think about how many minutes he will play during the two matches in order to be ready for the opening match in Copa América."
"I don't have the team at 100% confirmed. I need to evaluate the changes. I asked for there to be more than six changes, and it won't be like that. I have to define the changes."
Following the Ecuador game, Messi and Co. take on Guatemala in another friendly on Friday (June 14) in Landover.
How has Lionel Messi fared for Argentina since the 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph?
Lionel Messi has had a decent spell with Argentina after leading them from the front in their 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph in Qatar. The 36-year-old had starred with seven goals and three assists in seven games, playing every minute.
Since then, the Inter Miami attacker has turned out eight times for the Albiceleste, contributing eight goals and an assist. Three of those goals have come in his team's ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, where they top the standings after six games.
However, Messi has not scored in three of his last four games for Argentina and hasn't featured for them in 2024, missing the friendly wins over El Salvador (3-0) and Costa Rica (3-1) in March due to injury.
